Change Language

GERD / Heartburn - 3 Reasons Why You Should Not Ignore it

Written and reviewed by
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar 91% (449 ratings)
MD - Paediatrics, MBBS
Pediatrician, Faridabad  •  26 years experience
GERD / Heartburn - 3 Reasons Why You Should Not Ignore it

Heartburn is a common symptom experienced by many people, but is often overlooked as indigestion. Besides making you uncomfortable, this can be a sign of a much bigger health problem. While the occasional heartburn can be treated with antacids, chronic heartburn can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux.

Here are three important reasons you should not ignore heartburn

  1. It can promote tooth decayThe acid regurgitated might not necessarily stop in the esophagus. It can often also make its way into your mouth. When this happens frequently it can promote tooth decay and wear out enamel. This can also leave your mouth with a sour taste. Acid reflux induced tooth erosion can easily be prevented by the early treatment of acid reflux,but in most cases is noticed only after the damage has been done.
  2. It can cause cancer of the esophagus: Chronic acid reflux that persists for years can lead to changes in the cells of the esophagus. This can lead to a cancerous condition known as Barrett's esophagus. The condition has no other symptoms can if left untreated can develop into cancer of the esophagus. Women are at a higher risk of this form of cancer than men. Though esophageal cancer is relatively rare, it is not something to be trifled with. The survival rate of esophageal cancer is very low in comparison to other forms of cancer. Only 15-20% patients live longer than 5 years after this condition is diagnosed.
  3. It can lead to breathing problemsHeartburn is caused by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. If it is inhaled after regurgitation, it can worsen asthmatic conditions and pneumonia. At the same time, treating acid reflux with medication like PPIs can also increase the risk of pneumonia as it can promote bacterial growth and suppress coughing. Thus, when consulting a doctor for acid reflux treatment ensure that you mention any existing asthmatic conditions so that you can be treated with your lung functioning in mind.

In addition, acid reflux can also impact a person's health and quality of life. To prevent heartburn people often find themselves avoiding certain foods. This can impact their social lives and in turn make them withdrawing into themselves. A person's sleep can also be affected by heartburn. Hence, it is important to treat heart burn as early as possible and not wait for it to become a chronic problem.

4485 people found this helpful
Icon

Book appointment with top doctors for GERD treatment

View fees, clinic timings and reviews

Related Questions

Please say I have some acid problems like gerd please advice I am g...
16
Hello Doctor, From past few months (3 months) I am not feeling very...
8
I am a 55 year old male suffering from acid reflux and bloated stom...
13
I have acidity problem since last 10 year so can you suggest what t...
12
Age of patient is 67 year, as per medical reports 90% multiple bloc...
2
Hello doctors I am Dhandapani I had heart attack last 5 months befo...
1
How do we treat diabetic neuropathy? Front part of my feet and palm...
2
Carexia care 9 medicine can affect the period? Please advise or rai...
View all related questions

Related Health Tips

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
3656
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Soy Milk - Should You or Should You Not Drink it?
6405
Soy Milk - Should You or Should You Not Drink it?
Dates (Khajoor) - Why They Are The Best To Break Your Fast?
9178
Dates (Khajoor) - Why They Are The Best To Break Your Fast?
Fenugreek (Methi) Seeds - Potential Health Benefits
6656
Fenugreek (Methi) Seeds - Potential Health Benefits
Suffering From Parkinson's Disease - How You Can Maximise The Effec...
3021
Suffering From Parkinson's Disease - How You Can Maximise The Effec...
How Acupuncture Can Help Beat Indigestion?
5567
How Acupuncture Can Help Beat Indigestion?
How To Treat Peptic Ulcer With Homeopathy Remedies
3528
How To Treat Peptic Ulcer With Homeopathy Remedies
9 Benefits of Cow Urine
7242
9 Benefits of Cow Urine
View more health tips

To view more such exclusive content

Download Lybrate App Now

Get Add On ₹100 to consult India's best doctors